2016 USC Football Team Captains Announced

Max Browne, Zach Banner, Adoree’ Jackson and Michael Hutchings were named captains of the 2016 USC football team after a vote of their teammates, Clay Helton revealed Wednesday.

The 2016 USC football team officially has team captains.

Head coach Clay Helton announced Wednesday that the team voted quarterback Max Browne, offensive tackle Zach Banner, cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and linebacker Michael Hutchings captains for the 2016 season.

Browne, who was recently named the starting quarterback after a fierce battle with redshirt freshman Sam Darnold, has been cited by many players as being a team leader, so his election is no surprise.

Last year, Browne won the Bob Chandler Award as the Trojan underclassman with outstanding athletic ability, academic achievement and character. He also won the Lifter Award in 2014.

Banner has been a fixture on USC’s offensive line since 2014 when he earned a starting spot on the right. After receiving first team All-Pac-12 honors in 2015 and opting to return to the Trojans for his final year of eligibility, Banner enters the season as an All-American candidate.

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Jackson was USC’s 2015 MVP, scoring touchdowns as a cornerback, receiver and returner. He returns as a junior with All-American expectations and a chance to put in a second run at the Paul Honrung Award after finishing as a finalist last year.

If there is one surprise captain this year, it is Hutchings, who took advantage of middle linebacker Cameron Smith’s absence during spring camp to establish himself as a potential starter at the other inside linebacker position.

Hutchings has served as a back up for three years but was praised by coaches and teammates for his knowledge of the defense and his leadership.

Last year’s team captains were Cody Kessler, Anthony Sarao, Su’a Cravens, Max Tuerk and Antwaun Woods. All five captains departed after the 2015 season, four to graduation while Cravens declared for the NFL draft.